Mangalore: City Gets Dubious Distinction of Topping State’s Malaria List
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RS/CN)
Mangalore, Mar 5: “Records indicate that the city accounts for 64 percent of the malaria cases in the state, putting it at the top of the list. Steps to control the spread of the disease should be taken on a war footing”, said Madan Gopal, under secretary, state health and welfare department.
Speaking to media persons here at the deputy commissioner’s (DC) office, while on an official visit to the city, he said that Mangalore city has a large malaria-affected area when compared to other cities in the state.
Gopal added that the city shows an increase in the number of mosquitoes compared to the rural areas in the district. He added that hospital records also support this with rural regions reporting fewer cases of malaria when compared to the city.
“To prevent the rise in malaria cases, ward committees will be framed and the members will set out on an awareness campaign and take precautionary methods”, said Gopal.
He added that students from colleges and the staff of the health department will be part of the awareness programmes and ward committees will meet on every second Saturday to track developments.
Gopal informed that the town planning department of the city corporation has also been instructed to note the construction sites in the city where mosquitoes breed and to take steps to prevent this.
“In the city, Hampanakatta, Bejai, Urva, Derebail, and Kottara, have been pinpointed as the areas highly prone to malaria”, said Gopal adding that in January 2009, 520 cases of malaria were registered and 365 cases in February.
DC V Ponnuraj, Ravikumar, officer, health department, and Jagannath, district health officer, were also present.